Chandigarh, April 7

In Punjab as family members have been staying away from performing the last rites of suspected or confirmed coronavirus cases, it is government functionaries who have been coming forth and doing rituals religiously.

Out of 79 patients, in seven coronavirus deaths, there were three such instances.

In the latest instance on April 5, the last rites of a woman were performed by officials in Ludhiana city as the family refused to cremate the body fearing transmission of virus.

In another case, the cremation was performed by the revenue staff as the entire family was in quarantine.

In the third incident in Amritsar district last week, people did not allow a place in their village for cremating Nirmal Singh Khalsa, former Hazoori Raagi of the Golden Temple.

“The (last rites) document may be comprehensive but the real trouble lies when nobody, including the sons and daughters as well as staff at the cremation ground, are willing to touch the body,” Special Chief Secretary KBS Sidhu, who is in-charge to monitor state-wide coronavirus cases, informed in a tweet.

“It is here that field revenue agency, with tehsildars and naib tehsildars at the forefront, does the job.”

Stressing the need to recognise and encourage the officers and officials who went above and beyond the call of duty, Sidhu quoted the case of Harbhajan Singh, who died of Covid-19 on March 29 at Moranwali village in Hoshiarpur district.

“His entire family was in isolation ward as they had tested positive. Nobody from the village came forward to assist in performing the last rites,” he said.

Patwari Jagir Singh of Moranwali was assigned the task of arranging the cremation. He performed his duty without any hesitation.

“Jagir Singh, along with many others from his fraternity, is quietly doing their duty in these exceedingly difficult times. They deserve our applause and appreciation,” said Sidhu.

He applauded Hoshiarpur Deputy Commissioner Apneet Riyait for honouring Jagir Singh for his noble gesture.

In the latest case, officials of local administration performed the last rites of Ludhiana resident Surinder Kaur, 69, on April 5 as her family refused to own her body and asked the administration that it was their duty to perform her cremation.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Iqbal Singh Sandhu through a video said the family reached the cremation ground but preferred to remain seated in the car that was parked 100 m away from where the body was consigned to the flames.

He said the entire ritual was performed by Duty Magistrate Jasbir Singh.

Now the district administration would hold her bhog in a local gurdwara on April 11 by pooling money.

Regarding the cremation of former Hazoori Raagi of the Golden Temple, Nirmal Singh Khalsa, paranoid locals of Verka village located on the periphery of Amritsar city protested for hours and even locked the cremation ground gate to prevent the local administration from the cremation, fearing it would spread the coronavirus and endanger lives.

After hours of persuasion, the locals agreed and offered a secluded common land for his last rites that was held late in the evening amid the presence of government functionaries and the son of the deceased.

Condemning the incident, Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal said the state government should have taken steps to ensure the mortal remains of the great ‘ragi’ were not disrespected.

Khalsa’s aunt, son, grandson, his associate and associate’s wife have tested positive for coronavirus after his death.

Terming as unfortunate the delay in Khalsa’s cremation on April 2 due to “unfounded fears”, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said this was because of misinformation and issued directives that no such incident takes place in future.

He said he had asked the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police to ensure proper compliance of the government instructions by all health and other officials at the district level.

“Every deceased person deserv es proper cremation and there is a laid down health protocol on handling the body of a deceased COVID patient. This must be duly followed,” an official statement quoting the Chief Minister said. IANS

Panaji, April 7

British Crown Prince Charles has been “101 per cent” cured of COVID-19 using Ayurveda and Homeopathy treatment, Union Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Naik has insisted, claiming the reason why the Prince’s office may have denied acknowledging the cure, is because England does not formally recognise Ayurveda, as a medical science.

“I am proud that the Ministry which I head, managed to cure such a great man, there is no greater credit than this. He may have some problem (admitting to it) because the system in his country does not give recognition to Ayurveda. He may have felt he would violate rules, which is why his refusal to admit is obvious,” Naik told a local cable news channel in an interview late on Monday.

“I believe 101 per cent, that he has been cured (using Ayurveda and Homeopathy),” Naik also said.

On April 2, Naik had told a press conference in Goa, that Prince Charles had been cured of COVID-19 after seeking treatment from a Bengaluru-based alternative treatment resort, SOUKYA International Holistic Health Centre’ run by a doctor Isaac Mathai.

A day after his statement, Clarence House, the official residence of Prince Charles had said that the claim was incorrect, and that the royal “followed the medical advice of the National Health Service in the UK and nothing more”. The royal had been diagnosed COVID-19 positive last month.

Naik in the cable TV interview on Monday, continued to insist that Ayurveda and Homeopathy had indeed cured the Prince and that it was a “victory” for Indian traditional medicine systems. Naik also said that there was no need to disbelieve the doctor Isaac Mathai, who cured Prince Charles.

“The man (Dr. Mathai) himself is saying this. He is a doctor, an owner of a resort, he is trustworthy, when he says this, it is a victory of our Indian system,” Naik said.

IANS

Our Correspondent
Anantnag, April 7

A CRPF man was killed after militants fired at a patrol party of the force, early Tuesday evening, here in Bijbehara area of Anantnag district.

The slain paratrooper has been identified as Head Constable Shiv Lal.

The firing incident took place near the police station, Bijbehara along the old national highway at around 4:45 pm on Tuesday evening.

“The militants opened fire at a joint patrol party of the police and the CRPF. One CRPF jawan was injured in the firing, who later succumbed to his injuries,” a senior police official from Bijbehara said.

Injured Shiv Lal was immediately rushed to the Sub-District hospital, located near to the site of the attack.

“We gave him first aid and shifted him to the Anantnag Government Medical College Hospital,” a doctor at the hospital said.

In Anantnag, the doctors said, that he was declared brought dead with bullet wounds to his chest.

Following the firing incident, a cache of security forces cordoned off the already deserted Bijbehara market and conducted searches to try and nab the attackers.

The slain CRPF jawan of 116 Bn was deployed for law and order duty in Bijbahara, a spokesman of the force said in Srinagar.

Itanagar, April 7 

China’s People’s Liberation Army released on Tuesday the 21-year-old Indian man who was abducted on March 19 from near the McMahon line in Upper Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh, a defence spokesman said.

Togley Singkam, who was handed over to the Indian Army personnel guarding the border, was immediately put into quarantine amid fear of coronavirus infection, Defence PRO Lt Col P Khongsai said.

When the incident came to light, the Indian Army swung into action and approached the Chinese side utilising the established border management mechanism. Owing to peace and tranquility existing in the region and the bonhomie that has developed between both the border guarding forces, Singkam was handed over to the Indian Army on Tuesday, he said.

This has provided immense relief to the family members of Singkam and also to the people of the area, he said.

Singkam has been quarantined by the Indian Army and will be handed over to his family after 14 days, the official said.

Singkam along with his two friends — Gamshi Chadar and Ronya Nade — had gone fishing and to collect traditional herbs from the land belonging to the Naa clan of Tagin community on March 19 when the Chinese security personnel allegedly ambushed them.

While his other two friends could successfully escape, Singkam was abducted at gunpoint by the Chinese security personnel.

The Tagin Cultural Society had approached the governor on March 27, urging him to take steps for Singkam’s release.

A complaint was also filed by Singkam’s family at the Nacho police station on March 23.

The McMahon Line demarcates the boundary between the Tibet autonomous region of China and Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing claims as its own.

The McMahon Line is not properly demarcated and small cement pillars erected on the Indian side often get covered under wild growth.

A number of organisations in the state had appealed to the state government for taking up the matter with the Centre for the safe release of the man.

The Siyum Nacho Limeking Taksing Students Union (SNLTSU) had also threatened to launch a democratic movement in the state capital, if his early and safe release was not ensured. PTI

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 7

To further mitigate the hardships faced by the people amid the COVID-19 crisis and clampdown, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday announced a reduction in the fixed charges for electricity consumers, along with deferment of the deadline for payment of bills, while instructing the power department to provide  uninterrupted 24×7 supply to all Health Care Institutions.

The PSPCL will have to bear the additional burden of Rs.350 crore due to the various reliefs announced for the consumers, an official spokesperson said, adding that the Chief Minister also lauded the employees of PSPCL and PSTCL for their untiring efforts in maintaining a continuous supply of power in this time of crisis.

No new disconnection shall be carried out against non-payment till restrictions are withdrawn by the authority, the Chief Minister has further ordered.

The reliefs have been announced in view of the unprecedented situation in which consumers are unable to pay their dues to Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), according to the spokesperson.

As per the Chief Minister’s directives, the due date of electricity bills of all the domestic & commercial consumers, having current monthly/bi-monthly bills up to Rs. 10,000/- payable on or after 20th March, has been extended up to 20th April, without levy of late payment surcharge.

Further, a one percent rebate will be given to the consumers (exclusive of any previous arrears), who will pay electricity bills online through digital modes by the original due date.

The same applies to all electricity bills payable on or after 20th March of all the Industrial consumers – Medium Supply (MS) and Large Supply (LS) Industrial Consumers.

The fixed charges of the industrial consumers will also be exempted for the next two months, w.e.f 23.3.2020, and Energy Charges may be fixed commensurate with the reduction in Fixed Charges (single rate), the Chief Minister has instructed.

Since, the Revised Energy Charges will be paid by consumers and will not be considered for the subsidy, the MS and LS Industrial Consumers, whose units remained closed during this period will not be required to pay any electricity dues.

Captain Amarinder has further directed A Venu Prasad, Principal Secretary to Government of Punjab, Department of Power, to provide uninterrupted 24×7 supply to all Health Care Institutions such as Medical Colleges, Hospitals, Dispensaries, and other Medical Establishments and Quarantine Centres across the States for their smooth functioning.

He has also directed that PSPCL shall ensure continuity of supply, and complaints related to safety and restoration of supply shall continue to be attended. However, other non-essential services that require visiting consumer premises for meter reading, billing, the release of new connections, etc. may be discontinued during the lockdown period.

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 7

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and advised him to ban all government ads barring COVID-19 related for two years to divert the saved funds to pandemic management.

Writing to the PM a day after latter called her on the phone to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the country, Gandhi also said the Central Vista project coming up at a cost of Rs 20,000 crore should be suspended.

This is not the time for extravagance, she told the PM adding that the existing Parliament building can serve its purpose.

Sonia gave five suggestions to the Government including banning all non-urgent foreign trips by government leaders and bureaucrats.

Supporting the government decision to cut salaries of MPs by 30 per cent, Gandhi said, “Austerity measures which can be used to divert much-needed funds to the fight against Covid-19 are the need of the hour.

In this spirit, I am writing to offer five concrete suggestions.

Gandhi said “Impose a complete ban on media advertisements – television, print and online – by the Government and Public Sectors Undertakings for two years and issue only Covid-19 related advisories.”

Sonia said the Central Government currently spends an average of Rs 1,250 crores per year on media advertisements.

Second, she said, suspend the Rs 20,000 crore ‘Central Vista’ beautification and construction project forthwith.

“Such an outlay seems self-indulgent at this time to say the least. There is no urgent requirement that cannot be postponed until this crisis is contained. This sum could instead be allocated towards constructing new hospital infrastructure and diagnostics along with equipping our frontline workers with Personal Protection Equipment and better facilities, she said.

Congress chief also said the PM should order a proportionate reduction of 30 per cent in the expenditure budget (other than salaries, pensions and central sector schemes) for the Government of India as well.

This would save the government Rs 2.5 lakh crores per year approximately.

“Money saved can then be allocated towards establishing an economic safety net for migrant workers, labourers, farmers, MSMEs and those in the unorganised sector, Gandhi suggested.

She said all foreign visits, including that of the President, the Prime Minister, Union Ministers, Chief Ministers, State Ministers and Bureaucrats must be put on hold in a similar fashion with exceptions in case of special emergency.

This, she said, would bring money as Rs 393 crores were spent for just the Prime Minister and Union Cabinet’s trips in the last five years.

Lastly, she asked all the money of PM Cares’ fund should be transferred to the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund for transparency and efficient use.

New Delhi, April 7

Eight COVID-19 patients died and 354 news cases were reported in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of infected people in the country to 4,421, the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

The death toll due to the novel coronavirus now stands at 117, it said.

During a press briefing, Joint Secretary in the ministry Lav Agarwal said: “Total 4,421 people have been infected with the virus”. Of them, 326 people have recovered.

However, a PTI tally based on figures reported by states directly on Monday night showed at least 138 deaths across the country, while the confirmed cases reached 4,683. Of these, 359 have been cured and discharged.

Agarwal said cluster containment strategies and action plans for outbreaks, which are amenable to management, are giving required results in some areas like Agra, Gautam Budh Nagar, Bhilwara, East Delhi and Mumbai.

These strategies are also being adopted in other coronavirus-affected districts, he said.

According to a study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), one COVID-19 patient can infect 406 people in 30 days if he/she does not follow lockdown or social distancing, Agarwal said.

Meanwhile, Pune reported three more deaths, an official said. This takes the district toll from coronavirus to eight. However, these deaths have yet to be added to the national death tally  PTI

Sandeep Dikshit

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 7

Against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump warning of retaliation, India has allowed the export of a drug considered vital for the treatment of Covid.

The government on Tuesday said it would allow the US to import from India previously contracted shipments of the drug.

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) came into limelight after Trump said he wanted to eliminate all barriers to make it available for the treatment of Covid patients in the US where the death toll has crossed 10,000.

Trump followed up his request to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allow export of HCQ by warning India that the US may retaliate if it did not export the drug despite his personal request, saying he would be surprised in case of a negative outcome as New Delhi has good relations with Washington.

India has been preserving HCQ stocks after preliminary findings in the US said it had “significant clearance of the SARS-CoV-2 viral load in the nasopharynx compared with non-treated controls”.

India put on a brave front on its decision to reverse the export ban on HCQ and paracetamol as well as a second decision taken on Monday to lift a one-month ban on 13 active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). It said the decision to recommence exports of 13 APIs was based on a comfortable stock position. HCQ  and paracetamol were shifted from the restricted to the licensed list (meaning case-by-case clearance) after balancing the domestic stock position with India’s obligation to supply it to nations badly affected by the pandemic, said the Ministry of External Affairs.

Not just Trump but several world leaders in phone calls to Modi had requested India for reconsideration, especially on releasing shipments previously contracted by US companies.

The MEA also indicated that apart from fulfilling previous contract obligations and meeting personal requests from world leaders, India will accord top priority to sending paracetamol and HCQ to neighbouring countries that are “dependent on Indian capabilities”, thus indicating that Pakistan may not make the cut.

Further rationalising the decision to allow limited exports of HCQ and paracetamol, the MEA said India had always maintained that the international community must display strong solidarity and cooperation.

MEA spokesperson Anurag Shrivastava said the March 3 order banning the export of over a dozen drugs and the reversal was actually a temporary step as part of the obligation of “any responsible government” to ensure that there are adequate domestic stocks of medicines. Subsequently, the curbs were largely lifted after an assessment confirmed the availability of medicines for all possible contingencies, he maintained while asking that the issue should not be politicised.

Other sources agreed and said apart from paracetmol, most of these are not directly connected with the treatment of Covid. The API and formulations on which export restrictions were lifted are primarily made in Hubei province, the COVID-19 epicentre, whose lockdown prompted the government to impose export restrictions in March to conserve stocks for domestic deployment. The fear of shortages receded after Chinese pharma companies got back on track towards the beginning of this month.

The APIs and medicines on which export restrictions have now been lifted include Vitamin B1, B6, B12 and their formulations; progesterone and its formulations plus antibiotic APIs like erythromycin salts, Tinidazole, Neomycin and drugs manufactured using these.

The restrictions were placed after an assessment which warned that the stock-in hand of APIs may be sufficient for two to three months to manufacture formulations.

In India, the main API makers for HCQ are Ipca Laboratories and Zydus Cadila and the US is now ready to overlook a three-year ban by the US Federal Drug Authority on one of the companies.

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, April 5

Five soldiers were killed while fighting highly-trained infiltrators in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, the first major counter-infiltration operation along the LoC this year. Also, five militants were shot.

A fierce gunfight broke out on Saturday evening in the snowbound Ringdori forest area of Keran, 120 km from Srinagar, while the Army was looking for a group of infiltrators who fled after a brief exchange of fire on April 1. The Army cordoned a

4-square km area to ensure that the militants did not escape towards Pakistan.

Para commandos were airdropped at strategic locations to trace them. As combing was underway, the hiding militants opened fire. In the ensuing gunfight, five militants and three soldiers were killed. Two more soldiers were critically injured. They later succumbed to injuries.

“Alert troops, braving inclement weather and a hostile terrain, have so far eliminated five terrorists attempting to infiltrate across the LoC,” defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia told the media, adding that the operation was still underway.

The police claimed the slain militants were associated with Lashkar-e-Toiba.

In the past 24 hours, nine militants have been killed in two gunfights. On Saturday, four local militants were killed in Kulgam district.

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